Laura Spaulding, founder and CEO of Spaulding Decon, is a former law enforcement officer who has evolved her business from a solo operation to a nationwide franchise that specializes in biohazard disinfection and decontamination. Spaulding Decon topped the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 crime-scene cleaning category in 2022. In this episode of Real Stories in Restoration, Spaulding shares her journey from humble beginnings as a woman-led startup. Today, Spaulding Decon is scaling rapidly with 20 to 30 new franchises a year, has added real estate acquisitions to its business model, and has millions of followers on social media.

JoAnn Wiechmann discusses emotional intelligence, customer care and team culture in restoration, offering insights for building trust and resilience.

Nick D’Urbano shares how AI and technology help restoration businesses boost leads, optimize customer experience and gain a competitive edge in the market. 

Learn why it’s crucial for restoration contractors to understand markup vs. margin and overhead to avoid costly mistakes and improve their profitability.

Hear from Kaylin Glaspie, R&R’s 2025 Technician Award Winner, as she shares insights on her career, leadership and advice she has for fellow restoration professionals.

Learn how restoration businesses can grow through strategic referral partnerships with plumbers, realtors and services professionals with Chris Matts.

Explore the hidden health risks of indoor air pollution with Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, from health impacts to filtration failures and building design innovations.